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The Wokisha School District in Wisconsin has opted out of a federal free meal program.
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Board members said families could be “spoiled” with free meals.
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Biden has extended the free meal program for all kindergarten to high school students until June.
The federal-funded USDA program, launched in April, provides free meals to all K-12 students, regardless of income. However, students in the Waukesha School District cannot participate in the program because only the Waukesha School District can opt out of Wisconsin.
The reason for opting out was that the family could be spoiled.
Milwaukee’s NPR station first report Last week, on June 9, the Wokisha Board of Education resolved to abandon the pandemic’s free meal program, which lasts until June 30. Congressman Proponents said a program was needed to prevent child hunger during a pandemic, district board members opposed the program, and families who could afford to feed children should do just that.
“I had three children. I had children and I’m going to feed them. I think it’s an adult’s responsibility,” said board member Karin Rajinichek at the May meeting. Said in. “I feel this is a big problem. It’s really easy to be sucked in and spoiled and think,’It’s not my problem anymore. It’s everyone else’s problem to feed my children.'”
Wakisha resolved to return to the national school lunch program instead of qualifying students for a free school lunch. This program requires families to fill out an application to qualify for a free or discounted school lunch.
According to data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Education, 4,249 students in Walkisha were eligible for free and discounted meals in 2018-19-36% of students’ bodies. The ministry said the district could choose to opt in to the program at any time, and some families want to do so.
Heidi Chada, the district’s parent, Said Milwaukee’s NPR wanted the board to rethink its decision. “My question is why we are the only ones. [school district] Who says opting out and eating daily at school is not important to student health? “She said.
USDA Presentation With the extension of the free meal program in April, the ministry announced that it will reach an estimated 12 million children with food insecurity.
“It’s mutually beneficial for children, parents, and schools,” Secretary of Agriculture Tom Bilsack said at the time.
Read the original article Business insider
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